Spring Break
Column: Favre's latest comeback is a success
Joseph Rea
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Sports
11/4/09 - On March 4, 2008, Brett Favre announced his retirement from the Green Bay Packers and the National Football League. At the time of his first retirement, Favre's career spanned 17 years and included a Super Bowl win, three Most Valuable Player awards and nine Pro Bowl selections.
After Favre's retirement from the Green Bay Packers following the 2007-08 season, the organization handed the reigns to Aaron Rodgers, the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of California. He was taking over a team that had won 13 games the year before and was one win from making the Super Bowl.
On July 2, 2008, Favre discussed a possible return with the team. When he was denied and told the team was now Rodgers', Favre asked for his unconditional release. General Manager Ted Thompson officially made his stance clear with Favre releasing him on July 11.
Rodgers was now the Packers' quarterback. After a back-and-forth struggle between Favre and Thompson that resulted in forcing the fan base to pick sides, Favre was traded to the New York Jets on Aug. 7, 2008.
Almost 15 months later, one thing is clear in this whole saga: Thompson made the wrong decision.
In 2008, Brett Favre took over a 4-12 Jets team and recorded a winning record, all while making the Pro Bowl for the 10th time.
The Jets started off strong with an 8-3 record, including wins in New England and Tennessee. However, the team stumbled down the stretch and missed out on the playoffs. Favre took a lot of heat in the media for this, but was it really his fault?
In his first eleven games he threw for 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He then partially tore his bicep tendon and lost arm strength, resulting in more interceptions.
New York's defense allowed more points in 2008 than they did in a four-win season in 2007. The Jets also went 0-4 on the west coast, all against teams with losing records. With all of these factors playing a role, Favre still managed to pull out nine wins. Aaron Rodgers on the other hand, managed to take a 13-win team and turn them into a six-win team.
After the 2008-09 season, Favre retired again, and it could still be debated whether or not Thompson made the correct move in not letting Favre return.
Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings, un-retiring for the second time, for the 2009-10 season. In his first eight games, he has recorded 16 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
After eight weeks in this season, the answer has emerged. His Vikings are 7-1 and in first place in the NFC North while the Packers are 4-3.
What has been the best part for Favre in all this? He has beaten his former team twice this season, throwing for seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the two games. Four of those touchdowns came at Lambeau Field this past weekend.
Favre now has more than 67,000 passing yards and 480 touchdowns, more than anyone in NFL history. I think he should be adding to these records in a Green Bay uniform. Perhaps Ted Thompson may be regretting his decision now.
After Favre's retirement from the Green Bay Packers following the 2007-08 season, the organization handed the reigns to Aaron Rodgers, the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of the University of California. He was taking over a team that had won 13 games the year before and was one win from making the Super Bowl.
On July 2, 2008, Favre discussed a possible return with the team. When he was denied and told the team was now Rodgers', Favre asked for his unconditional release. General Manager Ted Thompson officially made his stance clear with Favre releasing him on July 11.
Rodgers was now the Packers' quarterback. After a back-and-forth struggle between Favre and Thompson that resulted in forcing the fan base to pick sides, Favre was traded to the New York Jets on Aug. 7, 2008.
Almost 15 months later, one thing is clear in this whole saga: Thompson made the wrong decision.
In 2008, Brett Favre took over a 4-12 Jets team and recorded a winning record, all while making the Pro Bowl for the 10th time.
The Jets started off strong with an 8-3 record, including wins in New England and Tennessee. However, the team stumbled down the stretch and missed out on the playoffs. Favre took a lot of heat in the media for this, but was it really his fault?
In his first eleven games he threw for 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He then partially tore his bicep tendon and lost arm strength, resulting in more interceptions.
New York's defense allowed more points in 2008 than they did in a four-win season in 2007. The Jets also went 0-4 on the west coast, all against teams with losing records. With all of these factors playing a role, Favre still managed to pull out nine wins. Aaron Rodgers on the other hand, managed to take a 13-win team and turn them into a six-win team.
After the 2008-09 season, Favre retired again, and it could still be debated whether or not Thompson made the correct move in not letting Favre return.
Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings, un-retiring for the second time, for the 2009-10 season. In his first eight games, he has recorded 16 touchdown passes and only three interceptions.
After eight weeks in this season, the answer has emerged. His Vikings are 7-1 and in first place in the NFC North while the Packers are 4-3.
What has been the best part for Favre in all this? He has beaten his former team twice this season, throwing for seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the two games. Four of those touchdowns came at Lambeau Field this past weekend.
Favre now has more than 67,000 passing yards and 480 touchdowns, more than anyone in NFL history. I think he should be adding to these records in a Green Bay uniform. Perhaps Ted Thompson may be regretting his decision now.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Tom West
posted 11/04/09 @ 5:38 AM EST
Joseph:
Of course, you are correct, although tbe Thompson/Rodgers apologists will refuse to see/admit it. Being an effective quarterback has to do with a lot more than just piling up statistics. (Continued…)
Tom West
Tom West
posted 11/04/09 @ 5:40 AM EST
Joseph:
Of course, you are correct, although tbe Thompson/Rodgers apologists will refuse to see/admit it. Being an effective quarterback has to do with a lot more than just piling up statistics. (Continued…)
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